If you bake a photogenic pastel-colored batch of macarons and no one is there to Instagram it, did it ever really exist? If you saw a stellar show last night, but didn’t check in on Facebook, were you ever really there?
From the iPhone alarm clock app you rise to in the morning to the TV screen you laze in front of for an end-of-day Netflix-a-thon, technology is an essential part of everyday life. Day-to-day, it provides us with a slew of conveniences and advantages, including the ability to stay connected with friends, family, and acquaintances 24/7 through mobile and online platforms.
Because sharing and engaging online have become such a major mode of communication, many of us have incorporated updating statuses and sharing photos and videos into our daily routines.
In fact, studies indicate that over 60 percent of Facebook users access the app on their smartphones eight or more times a day, and the majority of mobile phone users regularly use additional social media apps as well, including Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram, among others.
But while your friends may love seeing pics of the wild party you hosted last night, your property manager may be less enthused.
Similarly, though sharing shots of your idyllic out-of-state vacation may open the door to some positive commentary, it may also open the door for potential criminals looking to take advantage of your away status.
Read on for some tips on how to protect yourself and your home on social media.
Protecting Yourself as a Prospective Renter
Particularly in areas with highly concentrated populations and competitive rental markets, property managers often turn to social media as one means of screening potential clients.
Along with employment and background checks, many property managers—like prospective employers—use social media to check out would-be renters, often using subsequent findings as a means of comparison to make decisions between a pool of applicants.
Even though that photo of you getting wild at a spring break party last year may seem benign, consider removing it from your social media profile as, all other things being equal, it could work against you in a property manager’s decision between you and another applicant with a squeaky-clean online presence.
Protecting Yourself as a Current Renter
Property managers can also use social media to keep an eye on existing renters.
Though property managers are required to give notice to physically enter your property, they are not required to notify you when looking through your online profiles.
It may be perturbing or a little unnerving, but it is perfectly legal. For this and a host of other reasons, it is generally recommended to set social media profiles to private, or limit post visibility to specific users.
In most social media accounts, you can limit post visibility or set the entire profile to private by going into your account settings. Beware that some networks, primarily Facebook, update their privacy policies often, so you will want to check back regularly to ensure your settings are maintained.
Exercise caution and common sense. It’s probably best to avoid sharing any photos of huge house parties on the rental premises—unless it’s a cleaning party. And if your property manager doesn’t allow pets, don’t post a photo of the puppy you’re babysitting in the rental.
[tweetthis]In light of the latest #KimK scandal, be sure you’re safe when using social media as a renter.[/tweetthis]
Be Cautious About Sharing Location
When posting an update or photo from a mobile device, you’re often prompted with a question asking if you’d like to permit the app to share your location.
On apps like Instagram, this allows the app to essentially compile a map of everywhere your posts have been shared from, a feature which is both cool and a bit creepy, considering that if you have a public profile, anyone can view it. So too, if you check in to a location on an app like Facebook, it can be viewed by anyone who visits your profile, if your privacy settings permit.
Kim Kardashian West recently learned her lesson the hard way. While staying in Paris to attend Fashion Week with her family, robbers disguised as police officers entered her luxury vacation rental apartment, held her at gunpoint and stole millions of dollars worth of jewelry–including a massive diamond ring Kanye gave to her just a few months ago. Kim is a prolific social media user–and most celebrities rely on social media to stay engaged with fans–and who wouldn’t share #instagood photos of Fashion Week and Paris? But some are saying she may have gone a little too far repeatedly flaunting her multi-million dollar rock and other riches on Instagram while making no secret as to her location. Though most of us don’t have millions of dollars of jewels lying around, it’s still a good example of the importance of exercising caution and being smart about what you share online.
While it is probably okay to share your location if you’re out grabbing a coffee down the street, it may be best not to do so if you’re on vacation or otherwise know you’ll be away from home for a while. You wouldn’t leave the door to your apartment wide open, so don’t present an online welcome mat for would-be criminals.
Keep Strong Passwords
According to a recent report by CNNMoney, cases of identity fraud occur every two seconds. And the majority of such criminal schemes are conducted online.
Passwords can be a pain, but they are essential to preserving online safety, including on social media. Using numbers, a mixture of upper and lower case letters, and special characters are all good ways to strengthen your online passwords. It’s also advisable to use a specific phrase that’s easy to remember (think: NachoTacos!) rather than using something predictable like your dog’s name, your hometown, or your mother’s maiden name.
In addition, it’s a good idea to change your password regularly, and never use the same password for all of your online accounts. Some sites, especially banking sites, automatically ask you to change your password periodically, but it’s important to exercise the same level of caution on social media.
Having your social media account hacked could lead to more than some embarrassing unauthorized tweets. It can also lend criminals access to personal information like your email address, which in turn could grant them access to other items you’ve shared online in a presumed-secure conversation.
Whether you’re applying for your first apartment or are a longtime renter, being a savvy social media user can help to keep you and your home secure. Have stories or tips? Share in the comments below!